"We've got this fear - and it's well grounded, because this is exactly the kind of atmosphere that we were in before the Super Profits Tax was announced back in May 2010 - softening up the public, creating the perception that we are not paying our way and therefore rendering us an easier hit for new taxes under the budget," Mr Hooke said.

"And it's not in anybody's interests to be weighing down your front runners to the point that our international competitors race past us.

Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey says the Coalition believes a budget based on more taxes will further undermine business and consumer confidence.

Treasurer Wayne Swan says there will be much speculation about the budget until it is delivered and the Government does not comment on it, adding "the Commonwealth will deliver the mining tax it has recently legislated".

Senator Cameron insists the sector is not paying its fair share of taxes.

"They may not be a bottomless pit but they are a huge pit," Senator Cameron said.

"This is an industry that in 2009/10 made $51 billion worth of profits, $42 billion of that went to foreign-owned companies."

Senator Cameron says the Government cannot slash and burn services to fund better health and education, and the mining tax should be increased and expanded.

"The International Monetary Fund have drawn the Government's attention to it," he said.

"I think we should look at the diesel fuel tax credit. The mining industry gets $1.9 billion. You know, the manufacturing industry that comes under all the scrutiny only gets $203 million. It does not need to get accelerated depreciation in the mining industry."

Senator Cameron says he has already taken his ideas to Mr Swan and Finance Minister Penny Wong.

It's a fundamental human yearning to be a part of something bigger than one's self, and maybe that's what drove my mate Ash to die, far from home, in a bloody foreign war against Islamic State, writes C August Elliott.